They both stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with something unspoken. Cas felt that familiar tug again, a mix of curiosity and attraction, and he knew he’d have to tread carefully. Harper was clearly dealing with a lot, and the last thing he wanted was to complicate things for her—or for himself.
Her attention returned to the diary. Cas watched Harper turn the pages, her eyes scanning each line as if the words might reveal some hidden secret about her great-grandmother. He couldn’t help but admire the intensity of her focus, the way her brow furrowed just a little and her lips parted in concentration. She had this energy about her. A quiet strength that seemed topull him in, making him want to stand a little closer, to know a little more.
He’d known Harper for years, not very well, but still, seeing her like this, so absorbed in something so personal, made him feel like he was glimpsing a side of her he hadn’t seen before. He knew she was tough, having sensed she’d gone through hell back in Michigan. But there was something else too—something softer, more vulnerable, that caught him off guard. He found himself wondering what it would be like to really know her, beyond just the surface.
“So,” he began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them, “what do you think you’ll do with it?”
Harper looked up, a little startled, as if she’d forgotten he was there for a moment. “With the diary?”
“Yeah,” he replied, leaning against the workbench again. “You going to read the whole thing? Try to piece together whatever happened?”
“I think so.” Harper closed the diary gently, holding it in her hands like it was something fragile and precious. “I mean, I’m curious, and it feels like…I don’t know…like maybe I’m meant to know. Maybe there’s something in here that will help me understand her better—or even myself.”
Cas nodded, understanding more than he let on. “Makes sense. Sometimes the past has a way of shedding light on the present. Could be that this diary found its way to you for a reason.”
Harper smiled, and he felt a small thrill at having caused it. “Never pegged you for a philosopher,” she teased.
“Nah.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Just a guy who’s had too much time to think lately. But seriously, if you need help with any of it—or if you just want someone to talk to—you know where to find me.”
Damn, there went his mouth again, speaking without permission.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I might just take you up on that.”
His heart skipped a crazy beat at the way she looked at him, like she was seeing him in a new light. Maybe it was just his imagination, but there was a softness there, a hint of trust. He liked that. A lot.
“So,” she continued, a little more brightly, “tell me more about this truck. You think it’s really worth the investment?”
He grinned, glad to see her mood lighten. “Absolutely. It’s got good bones, and my dad’s taken decent care of it. Plus, it’s a classic. Lots of character. I think it’d suit you.”
“Lots of character, huh?” Harper replied with a smirk. “Is that code for ‘It’s a bit of a fixer-upper’?”
He chuckled. “Maybe a little, but that’s part of the fun. And hey, you like a good project, right? Besides, if you’re handy with furniture, a truck should be a piece of cake.”
Harper laughed, the sound light and easy, and an unexpected warmth rushed through him. “Pretty sure furniture and trucks are two totally different skill sets. But, okay, you’ve sold me. Worst-case scenario, I learn a bit more about trucks.”
“Roger that,” Cas said, still smiling. “And I’m pretty good with my hands, so if there’s anything wrong with it, I’ll fix it before you buy it.”
She continued to stare at him with warmth in her eyes. “Thanks.”
He watched as she turned back to the desk, her fingers tracing the carvings along the sides. She seemed lost in thought again, and for a moment, he considered reaching out, maybe saying something more. But he held back, sensing she needed a bit of space to process everything—the diary, the move, maybe even him.
But then, without warning, Harper glanced over her shoulder and caught him watching her. He didn’t look away. Instead, he stood his ground and held her gaze.
“What?” she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.
“Just thinking.” He shrugged “It’s nice having you around again. I mean, really around.”
Her gaze softened. “It’s nice to be around. Feels different. Good different.”
“Good,” Cas echoed, feeling a strange movement in his chest. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “And hey, maybe we’ll even find out what’s hidden in that diary. Could be a real adventure.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, a spark of excitement lighting up her eyes. “An adventure…I could use one of those.”
Not him. Hell, he’d had enough for several lifetimes.
But none with such a beautiful, brave, sweet woman.
Cas nodded, his smile widening. “I think we both could.”
